Push for cleaner energy impacts Valley

KNOX COUNTY, Ind. (WTHI) - A national push for cleaner and greener energy is expected to impact the coal and corn fields in the Wabash Valley.

President Obama's energy plans include the continued use of coal.

The White House wants to see it burned in the cleaner manner.

The president's plan embraces clean coal technology like that being used at the Duke Energy plant under construction in Edwardsport.

The plan also calls for a $2 billion expansion in bio-fuel use this year.

"This process of integrated coal combined cycle burning of coal is going to generate that cleaner generation from fossil fuels," said Gary Gentry.

"Two billion gallons of renewable fuels really is a great thing for farmers," said Susan Brocksmith. "One of the things is more of our products are going to be used. We're going to see that money put into the United States."

The bio-fuel initiative is expected to continue to expand for another decade, eventually reaching 36 billion gallons.